Activity 1 – Needs Assessment Research Successfully Completed

The Startup Lab partnership is pleased to announce the successful completion of Needs Assessment Research and the publication of the Transnational Needs Assessment Report, one of the project's first key deliverables. The report consolidates the findings of the research conducted across all partner countries and provides an evidence-based foundation for the next phases of the project. Its conclusions will directly guide the development of the project's training programme, online learning platform, and future educational resources.

Led by Association Hexagonale de l'Innovation Sociale et de l'Education (France) in close cooperation with Panevėžys Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts (Lithuania) and EduXperts (Türkiye), the research combined quantitative and qualitative methods, including surveys with 60 adult participants (20 in each partner country) and six in-depth interviews with target group representatives, entrepreneurs, and sector experts.

The transnational analysis identified several common challenges faced by aspiring digital entrepreneurs across Europe. The findings reveal that while participants demonstrate strong motivation to start digital businesses, they often lack practical business knowledge, financial and legal literacy, mentorship opportunities, and structured guidance on where to begin. The research also highlights a growing demand for training in e-commerce, digital marketing, AI-powered business tools, business planning, and financial literacy, together with flexible blended learning opportunities that combine self-paced online learning with interactive workshops.

Beyond identifying common needs, the report also provides country-specific insights for France, Lithuania, and Türkiye, ensuring that the future training programme can respond to different national contexts while maintaining a shared European curriculum. One of the report's key recommendations is the integration of practical, output-based learning supported by mentoring and peer collaboration, enabling participants to transform their ideas into sustainable digital businesses.

The completion of Activity 1 represents a significant achievement for the Startup Lab partnership and lays the foundation for Activity 2 – the development of the Digital Entrepreneurship Training Programme. Using the evidence gathered through this comprehensive research, project partners will now design innovative, learner-centred training modules and develop an online learning platform that will equip adults with the digital and entrepreneurial skills needed to create and grow successful online businesses.

The Startup Lab consortium would like to thank all survey participants, interviewees, and partner organisations for their valuable contributions. Their expertise and engagement have played a crucial role in ensuring that the project's future outputs are firmly grounded in the real needs of adult learners across Europe.